“Many of our urban communities bear a considerable environmental burden and the voices of their residents and their struggles deserve to be heard,” Commissioner Mauriello said. “We’re working in earnest to build upon the Governor’s efforts to give all New Jerseyans an equal opportunity for a cleaner, healthier environment.”

The advisory council is responsible for making key recommendations on a host of issues directly affecting residents’ health, well-being and quality of life in New Jersey’s urban communities disproportionately impacted by pollution from multiple sources. The council also works to ensure that state government agencies coordinate their response to environmental challenges in these communities.

The newly appointed advisory council includes representatives from faith-based, academic, public health, environmental, civil rights, grassroots and public health organizations as well as business and industry. The council is administered by the DEP’s Environmental Justice Office, and a representative of the Governor's Office serves as a liaison to the council.

The public is invited to attend the advisory council’s monthly meetings at the DEP’s headquarters, 401 East State St. in Trenton. Its first meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.

For information on the Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the DEP’s Environmental Justice Program visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/ej/

The two-year appointments to the Environmental Justice Advisory Council are as follows: